The Press Box-Week of 5/19/14

Alexandra Veres returns to bat .343 for Owens softballCardinal Stritch graduate Alexandra Veres saw increased playing time for the Owens Community College softball team as the season progressed.

“As the season went on, she really started to show herself as a college ballplayer,” said Owens softball coach Duane Lanham.

The freshman catcher spent the first part of the year recovering from an injury, and once she started getting more reps and time on the side, she made 13 starts. Overall, she appeared in 21 of the team’s 36 games.

“The biggest question mark for her was her stick, but she went out there and got the job done,” Lanham said. “As the season went along, she improved in all the things you ask for in a catcher.”

Lanham also said nice things about the work ethic of Veres, who put in a lot of time on the side, in the bullpen and before each game for the Owens softball team, which was ranked in the nation’s top 20 most of the year.

Offensively, Veres hit .343 with a .425 on base percentage this past year. In 35 at bats, she had 12 hits, eight runs, eight RBIs, four walks and two stolen bases. In postseason play, she had a two-run single against Lansing Community College, followed by a 1-for-2 performance against Kellogg Community College. She appeared in 12 of the final 13 games for Owens.

Veres plans on playing travel ball this summer, where she said she wants to improve her arm strength behind the plate after all six attempted base stealers reached safely with her behind the plate this season.

In addition to that, Lanham said the things Veres needs to improve on are her quickness and her offensive ability before she returns next year.

The Express finished the season 27-9 overall. Lanham was named the Ohio Community College Coach of the Year. It is the sixth time he has won the award.

Owens Pitcher Lesley Ducat gave the Express back-to-back 20 game winners after Katie Turski (Stritch) won 20 last year. Ducat's 20 win season marks the sixth time an Owens softball pitcher has accomplished that feat. Five players have achieved the honor with April Nietrzeba being the only player to do it twice. (— by Owens Sports Information Director Nick Huenefeld)

Gose signs with Owens CCGenoa senior infielder Casey Gose has signed with Owens Community College's baseball team. He joins left-handed pitcher William Hutt of Bowsher as one of two members in the 2014-15 freshman class.

Gose, a four-year varsity starter for the Comets, was a first team All-Northern Buckeye Conference selection as a sophomore and second team All-NBC as a junior. He was also an Alan Miller Jewelers All-Press selection his sophomore and junior years.

Sports announcementsThe Genoa High School Athletic Department will host its annual Tom Pickerel Golf Outing on June 7 at Chippewa Golf Course. Golf begins at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start. Cost is $65 per person, which includes lunch and prizes. Contact Athletic Director Mike Thomas at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 419-855-7741, ext. 21105. Deadline to register is June 4.

*********The Lake boys’ youth basketball camp for grades 1-8 will be June 9, 10, and 11 at the Lake Flyer Field House. Instruction is provided by varsity coach Ryan Bowen and his staff. Cost is $40 per athlete. Make checks payable to Lake Athletic Department and students can turn in registration to school office. Out of district participants can call or text Aaron Endicott at 419-466-2591.

*********Tryouts are being held for The Edge Soccer Club for the fall and spring 2014-15 seasons for youth teams ages 10-15 at Stony Ridge Park. Four boys’ age groups (U10, U11, U12, U13) will be June 1 from noon to 2 p.m. at three different fields and two girls age groups (U13 and U14/15) will be June 2 from 4-8 p.m. Participants should bring ball, cleats, shin guards, and water. Contact Eric Kramer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit edgesoccerclub.com.

*********The Oregon/Northwood Rotary Club golf outing is June 20 with a 1 p.m. tee time. Registration starts at 11:30 am. The course is Chippewa Golf Club. All registration forms must be submitted by June 6. The cost for the outing is $100 per golfer or $400 per team and $500 includes a hole sponsorship and a foursome. Interested parties can contact Matthew Mackowiak at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 419-491-0234. Proceeds from the event go to send classes from Northwood and Oregon City Schools to the Challenger Learning Center.

*********The Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County will hold its Eighth Annual Golf Outing on June 14 at Hidden Hills Golf Club. The shotgun start is at 8 a.m. and a four-person team is $260, which includes a barbecue chicken dinner and prizes. Call 419-734-7074 or entry forms can be picked up at the golf course. The entry deadline is June 11. This event is being sponsored by Materion Brush, Inc. and supplemental funding is being provided by Ottawa County Chapter 30011 Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

*********St. Mark Lutheran Church, 611 Woodville Rd., Toledo, will hold its Eighth Annual Golf Scramble on June 1 at 1:30 p.m. at Chippewa Golf Course in Curtice. Proceeds benefit the Luther League Youth Group of St. Mark, offsetting expenses for the youth to participate in a mission trip this summer. Cost is $70 per golfer and includes dinner and prizes. Call the church at 419-691-3597.